Team GATV Roundtable: Looking Back At The First Half Of Arrow Season 4

What do you think of Season 4 so far?

MATT: I’m genuinely enjoying it. There seems to be a stronger handle om what they are doing with the show this season and that confidence definitely shines through on-screen. A legitimate criticism can be leveled against it that this first run has primarily been about getting its house in order and setting up characters for Legends of Tomorrow. But kind of like how the outright fun of Star Wars: The Force Awakens trumps some of the justifiable knocks against the film, the fun of the season helps to look beyond that and buy into the return to form.

STEPHANIE: This season of Arrow feels more confident in itself and less like they’re trying so hard to impress us. It exists in the same space as season two, where it’s good because it’s being itself, not because they’ve taken risks that surprise/confuse the audience. That’s not to say they shouldn’t have taken those risks last season, because I applaud them for being bold enough to try something new and try to redefine the series for a bit, but getting back to the roots of what works has been a success this season.

DEREK: To be honest, it’s is already my favorite season after season 2, and that’s with less than half out of the gate. It’s been very tight and focused, willing to explore new avenues without any one element overtaking the show. This season has felt very different from the first three, nailing its lighter tone without sacrificing the down-and-dirty baseline that makes it distinctly Arrow. Stephen Amell has crafted a “new” Oliver that truly seems like a man who’s grown from past experiences to have an optimistic, even inspirational outlook. The characters still make mistakes, but everyone seems to be actively out to forgive and make things better, and there’s a sense that every single character has learned from the darker times from the last few seasons. That clear character development has kept things grounded, even as the status quo has shifted.

CRAIG: Kind of like how Season 2 seemed to be a positive course change after the early reviews of Season 1, I feel like Arrow has taken certain concerns left after Season 3 to heart and as a result has given us a better show. We’ve got a great villain; the “Olicity” stuff has been working a lot better for me; and Oliver Queen is embracing his heroic side — even though, at times, he reverts into being a stupidhead. (i.e., not telling Felicity about William).